Categorizing means to classify data to all the brain to handle huge amounts of information. During categorizing, stereotypes and prejudices factor into how the brain thinks. Stereotypes are certain beliefs that come to thought from what you have heard or experienced and automatically are given about a certain object or person. Stereotypes are in almost everyones lives. The biggest issue for us as SLUH students that deal with stereotypes are the issue of race. We have heard or maybe even experienced dealing with different races and for most of us stereotypes automatically pop into our thought process.
The next part to the process of knowing is evaluating. This deals with the idea that we as humans can not possibly give equal attention to all we see and hear. One thing that influences that idea is mystique, which are certain things that distorts with how we think. As well as herd need, which is when we allow others to think for us. This can also be given an example for SLUH students or people in general. Similar to the first example, a teacher is giving a lecture, but the next day you have a quiz on what was said during that lecture. You will not remember every single detail said about that lecture.
Symbolizing means to convey meaning to others either written or verbally. We sometimes give a literal meaning of a word which are called denotations, and even use connotations which are additional meaning given to the denotation. The book gives examples to this and one that I thought was a good one was, ecumenism vs. Religious indifference. Ecumenism is when we treat others of different religions with more respect. Religious indifference is to say that differences between religions do not matter. We use many words that have the exact same meaning, but we choose them from symbolizing.
The last process of knowing is Testing. I believe this is the most important part of the process and it is one which we often do not do in our lives. Testing is to not be able to admit the possibility that our beliefs are wrong. I think that this really has to do with our society today. Everyone needs to become more open towards each other because if we choose not to then our knowledge will continue to stay the same. Not allowing entrances of new ideas I think denies the beginning of the process which is perceiving. We can see testing in our lives just when we are talking among friends. We believe one issue is correct while they argue that it is wrong. What we can do here to allow testing is to hear their side of why it is wrong and give them a clear example of why you believe you are correct.
This concludes the Process of knowing. To learn more about the subject view the links below.
Info for Perceiving
Info for Categorizing
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